help me with this windsock
Posted by tubabbo@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 24 comments
Hi, I’m an FPV pilot, I’m 23 years old and I recently got into this field. One day I thought about building a windsock and using it for its intended purpose—to understand both the wind direction and its strength. It’s a completely amateur project made with a tube and a lightweight plastic bag. I’d like some advice on how to improve it, because the behavior it shows, even at higher wind speeds, seems quite unusual and unrealistic to me.
I believe its behavior is different from real windsocks, because regardless of the wind direction, it tends to point downward instead of positioning itself horizontally. This makes it difficult to read according to standard interpretation guidelines.
I’m want to learn how to build a functional one so I'm open to any suggestions on how to fix and improve it.
tweirx@reddit
As others have noted, turbulence near structures is both real and chaotic.
You can also experience wildly varying wind conditions due to terrain variations where wind is blocked (trees or hills) or funneled (canyons and river valleys).
You need to understand the general weather conditions in the area, and then take time to consider how the conditions can change as your aircraft moves around structures and terrain.
Auday_@reddit
Have you calibrated the sock lift to wind speed? Windsock should give a rough estimation if wind speed as well.
messier91@reddit
As a first step you should get away from that building. It makes the flow unsteady.
agha0013@reddit
problem is if you're attaching this to a building, the wind all around the building isn't giving you a real picture of the overall winds. you get odd eddies and currents forming around the building itself that can sometimes be completely opposite the overall prevailing wind.
that's why windsocks at airfields need to be way out in the open where nothing is messing with them.
also, it's very common for windsocks to not completely fill unless the winds are strong enough to do so.
tech-brah@reddit
> odd eddies
😂 I think you meant oddities
agha0013@reddit
nope https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddy_(fluid_dynamics)
tech-brah@reddit
Oh! Learn something new everyday.
MGreymanN@reddit
"also, it's very common for windsocks to not completely fill unless the winds are strong enough to do so."
This by design and why most windsocks are stripped. Each strip that manages to completely fill and be horizontal is 3kts winds speed.
A windsock that is completely filled and level means the wind speed is 15+ knots.
interroBangaRangz@reddit
So presumably the materials and sewing dimensions are chosen with specificity as to remain accurate, or OP’s could be calibrated as a convenient excuse to build a wind tunnel.
Difficult_Limit2718@reddit
I thought they even had weighted rings in many cases to further provide resolution
PropOnTop@reddit
Regular windsocks are calibrated to show the speed of the wind - if you wanted to improve your design I suggest you incorporate this basic functionality:
elprophet@reddit
I respectfully disagree on your edit. Building things yourself, especially from first principles, is well worth the expense compared to buying one off the shelf. Building a second one to incorporate what you've learned or failed for the first is also great!
Difficult_Limit2718@reddit
... But why?...
tubabbo@reddit (OP)
Why not. Knowing how things work is priceless over simply having and buying something
elprophet@reddit
Because learning?
DDX1837@reddit
As stated by agha0013, the building is causing some of that. Then there's probably other buildings nearby. And yourself.
What is a FPV pilot???
tubabbo@reddit (OP)
First person view drone piloting. Put googles on and fly
WorldTour66@reddit
A drone jockey
interroBangaRangz@reddit
Notme20659@reddit
FPV - First Person View. Essentially he is flying a drone using an onboard camera linked to goggles. Provides a visual view point as if sitting in a cockpit. Other flight telemetry data is also viewed through the goggles to aid in flight.
agha0013@reddit
drone operator using first person view
cody_hates_reddit@reddit
What "standard interpretation procedures" are you looking at? The dip is by design, it's how you measure wind strength. Sounds like you want a weather vane instead.
Hodgetwins32@reddit
It looks like you’re doing a great job holding up that windsock. I would say just keep doing what you’re doing and every pilot the flys by will be better off thanks to your efforts.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER !
Kaiisim@reddit
Google homemade windsock, it's a good school project!
The plastic bag is too weak to work basically! It's being buffeted about by wind, it needs something more rigid